Improvement in machines for fallowing land



R. J Q GATLING.

Steam-Plow.

Patented Jan. 27. 1857.

N-FETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD J. GATLING, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN M ACHINES FOR FALLOWING LAND.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 16,476, dated January '27, 1857.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD J. GATLING, of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Steam Fallowing-Machine; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being bad to the annexed drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l isa plan view of the machine, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line a: 00.

Similar characters of reference in the several figures denote the same part of the machine.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of a series of spades having a compound movement, consisting of a vertical reciprocation and spiral twist, through the agency of a system of cams and levers driven by a portable steam-engine situated upon the frame of the machine, animal-power being employed to-change the locality of the machine, the details of construction and operation being substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, A is the frame of the machine, supported upon wheels B B, and drawn by animal-power applied at tongue 0. Across the frame runs a shaft, D, on which is a series of cams, E, so placed that consecutive cams shall have their eccentricity on opposite sides of the shaft. Connected with these cams, b pins a entering grooves b, are the levers F. Each of these levers has its fulcrum in a pin, 0, passing throughjaws d, which rest upon a cross-piece, G, of the frame. lheeams are embraced by side plates, f, of these levers, through uhich the pins a pass. At the rear of these levers are suspended the shovels or spades H in the following manner: The shank g of the spade is attached by a pin, 71, between a pair of jaws, j, so as to be free to swing between them. The jaws have a shank, which passes through the levers andvreeeives, on a square at its upper extremity, an arm, h, by the movement of which it can lie-turned. This arm It is connected by a rod, k, with a lever, 1, whose fulcrum is in a bolt attaching it to lever F. The front arm of this lever Z is bent downward, and has a notch embracing a flange, m, on the periphery of the cam. A portion of this flange is curved, as shown in Fig. 1, so that by the rotation of said cam lever l is moved, and through it and rod is arm h on jaw shank. The amplitude of this motion will be governed by adjustment of rod is in holes a. The spade-shafts are connected with the under portion of levers F by the springs I, so that they will assume a "er tical position when released from arty power drawing them backward. They are also connected by chains 19 with a shaft, g, which is turned by power applied to vertical shaft i through cord or chain's. This serves as a means of lifting the spades from the surface of the ground when they are not in use. The cam-shaft is rotated by connection with a steam-engine upon the frame, the cylinder of which is shown at P and the boiler and furnace at Q.

There being nothing novel in the construction of the engine, its parts need not be particularized.

A band may pass around pulleys 2e, so as to render the steam-power effective in propelling the machine. Such, however, is not the intention at present.

The spades can have any form that may be desired. The levers to which they are attached are connected with the jaws d by wooden pins,

so that by the giving way of the pin the ma-;

chine may not be injured if the spade strikes a stone.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The steam-power rotates the cam-shaft as the machine is drawn forward by animal-power. This rotation forces the alternate spades into the soil by reason of the lifting of the levers by the cams. The flanges m on the cams produce a twist of the spade as it penetrates and leaves the earth, whereby the l osening thereof is effected. As the spade rises from the earth the spring connecting it with the lever draws it forward into a \ertical position, ready for the next descent.

This machine is designed for use in large fieldsof clear prairie-laud as a substitute for the plow.

What I claim, ters Patent, is-- A series of spades having a combined vertical reciprocation and spiral twist through the agency of a system of cams and levers ar' ranged and operated substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed and desire to secure by Let- :my name before two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD J. G-ATLING.

' Vitnesses:

JOHN G. CAMPBELL, JAMES M. SHARPE. 

